A.N. Long chapter. But at least you all are catching up now.

After class, Sara bolted to the Great Hall. Luckily, she was the first one there, giving her time to check out what Harry had mentioned. When she looked behind the Slytherin hourglass, she found a pair of goggles with small wing patterns on the sides. Before she could pull them out, she heard a voice.

"As we all know, the leader of the Digidestined just wouldn't look right without them. So here, I want you to have mine."

Sara turned to see Matt, Willis, Takato, Koichi, and Kristy. She held the goggles loosely in confusion and stared at the group. "Wha-what do you mean?"

"It was the same thing Davis said to Ken before he died. I think Tai told him that. You know, the goggles are really important to us. It's more than a fashion statement; it's a badge of office. With the exception of Marcus and Kristy, every leader of the Digidestined, be it a team or a coalition, has worn a pair. Harry must have made them for you."

"Wait, what are you saying?"

"I'm saying you are the leader of the Digidestined, Sara."

Sara stared at the goggles in shock. Then, she looked at the leaders of the Digidestined teams and back at the goggles. At last, she came to a decision and put on the goggles, accepting the responsibility of the leader. "Right, how many did we lose in the Ministry raid?" She demanded, trying to sound serious and leaderly.

Matt thought for a moment. "We lost Tai, Kari, Joe, and Izzi. That leaves me, TK, Sora, and Mimi."

Willis spoke up next, "We just lost Ken so we have Yolei, Cody, and I."

Takato was the next one to speak, "We only lost Suzie. Rika, Henry, Kenta, Kazu, Jeri, Ryo, Ai, Mako and I are still active."

Koji was next. "We lost two. We now only have myself, Zoe, JP, and Tommy.

Kristy then delivered the bad news. "All we have left is myself. Also, all the Valkyrie were taken."

Sara did some mental calculations before continuing. "That leaves us with about half at twenty-two people. Matt, Koji, and I have Shikai Zanpakto while Willis, Mako, Takato, and Henry have unreleased Zanpakto. Altogether, that means five of us have swords. With the exception of Kristy, that leaves each group with one Zanpakto user. I get the feeling that this means that we can expect Windlust any moment to take us on. Also, news of Harry's capture will interest Voldermort, making him a prime target as well. Even worse, we have NEWT level students here, meaning that they will need to focus on schoolwork. I recommend for now that we put the NEWT students as reserves to give them time to prepare for their tests as well as to provide backup."

"Provide backup for what?" a voice asked.

The six turned and saw Hermione Granger standing there. Sara quickly gulped and then spoke up, "For a mock duel. You know that with Voldermort coming, we need to be ready so we were thinking about doing practice battles, you know?"

Hermione eyeballed the second year critically. Eventually she spoke up. "That's actually a good idea. Though with Dumbledore here, He Who Must Not Be Named would be mad to attack here. I can help you get time to practice."

"No thank you, we practice on our breaks."

Hermione leaned in really close and whispered in Sara's ear. "I know you're hiding something. This little gang has been vanishing randomly for six years, drawing in first Harry, then Malfoy, then Ron, and now you and someday, I will find out what it is you are keeping from me and I will not stop until I do."

With a sinking feeling in her heart, Sara responded. "If you think we're up to something then you do what you want but if you hurt anyone because of this paranoia, I will see to it that you regret your action." With that, Sara led the group to the lake.

Hermione stared at the retreating sextet in shock. What is her problem? She thought. Hermione almost decided to give up right then and there but the image of Harry plunging a sword into her kept her going. To make things stranger, whenever any of this group saw her coming, they immediately stopped talking and tried to act natural.

"No Takato!" Sara stared as the last person aside from her fell to the ground. She raced to catch him but suddenly he was Harry, the wolf boy shaking his head. "I believed in you but I guess I was wrong Sara. You killed them all."

"I'm sorry Harry!" Sara jerked out of bed, shocking her dormmates. Upset over the dream, Sara quickly ran out the door. It was only a few days after Sara had taken command of the Digidestined and her inexperience left her with terrible nightmares.

Finally, Sara reached her destination, the boathouse. As soon as she crossed the threshold, her knees gave way and she sank to a sobbing heap. After a few minutes of crying, she felt a hand on her shoulder. Slowly, Sara looked up to see… Professor McGonagall. "Y-yes Professor?"

"Are you alright, Sara?"

"N-no."

"Want to talk about it?"

"I-I can't."

With that, Professor McGonagall removed something from under her cloak. When Sara saw it, she gasped. "I've been to the Digital World Sara, I know what's been going on."

Slowly, Sara nodded and stood up. "I can't do this."

"Do what?"

"I can't lead the Digidestined, I'm just a-"

"I am more of a child than you are."

"What do you mean?"

"You stood up against so much but I've just been in the way."

"Bu-but." Sara broke off as the lake water began to turn into a tidal wave. Sara gulped. "Get one of the Digidestined. They'll be able to warn the others."

"But."

"GO!"

While Minerva took off, Sara drew her own Zanakto. "So, you want to target me?" She said to the now fully formed shadow figure.

"Ooooh no. I want that school of yours and anyone in it. You are just in the way."

"You want us? Come and get us! Fly, Garedig Galon!" Sara quickly spun the Jo staff and began to initiate her main attack. "Rage o-"

"I know all about that attack. You want to blast me with the element that dominates the season except I am the element that dominates the fall." Before Sara could attack, Windlust made his move, sending her crashing to the ground.

Sara tried to focus her blurred vision on Windlust. Before she could, she saw a figure she had met only once before, the spiritual form of her zanpakto, Garedig Galon. She blinked and then her eyes slammed shut. "And to think that I get stuck with a weakling like you." Sara's eyes opened and she saw Garedig Galon looking at her with disgust. "You were right; you don't deserve to lead the Digidestined. Now nothing stands in his way. You say you want everyone to get along and that you care but you don't care at all, do you?"

"I-I do."

"No you don't. When push comes to shove, you roll around like a poor puppy, beaten and weak. You won't stand up for your beliefs, making that kind heart fake. If you are really the person fit to wield me, then show me!" Garedig Galon reached out a hand and Sara took it.

"You're right. I've tried to help people but I won't do the hard things to help." Sara said. "That is, I won't until now. Garedig Galon, I need your help."

"Do you have to ask?"

"Of course I do. We're not slave and master, we're partners so please Garedig Galon, lend me your strength!"

Garedig Galon rested his hands on Sara's Jo staff, his tail twitching slightly. As they connected with each other, Sara's eyes changed from a green tinged brown to gold with a blue glow in place of the whites. A blue glow surrounded her and Sara leapt at Windlust. It was as though a different person was fighting. Instead of a careful and reserved fighter, she was fighting almost like she was soaring through the air, flying from one striking point to the ground and on to another one. When Kazu and Minerva returned, they were stunned. It looked like there were a thousand duplicates fighting the wind beast. With a snarl, Windlust backed away and Sara collapsed, her Jo changing back to a Bokken.

When Sara next woke up, she found herself in the Hospital Wing. Slowly she got up and looked around. When she noticed her surroundings, she was shocked to find all of the first and third teams bandaged up on the other beds. "What happened?" She wondered out loud.

"Some strange creature started attacking the Owlery and almost destroyed it but they all jumped in and stopped the attack." Madame Pomphrey, the school nurse said. "What in the name of Merlin's beard is going on?"

"Something attacked the Owlery!?" Sara yelled. "Is it still?"

"No. It vanished as soon as I got there but these students were wounded. No, don't get up." For Sara had gotten up.

"You can't keep me here. Treat them; we'll need them on the front lines."

"But."

"The Owlery, does it still stand?"

"Y-yes."

"I know you see me as just some girl but I'm more than a girl." Sara grabbed the goggles resting on her bedside. "I'm a leader." She fit the goggles over her head and grabbed the closest D-arc, Takato's. As soon as she did, she heard a voice calling to her.

-Sara.-

Sara froze. "Harry? Is that you?"

-Sara, take my D-link. Your goggles were made on my fire and now that you can take a stand, we can fight together.-

Sara turned to her left and saw a ghostly image of Harry, his lupine figure standing there with a proud stance. To her right was the spirit of Garedig Galon, her own Zanpakto. Instantly, something clicked and she was able to communicate to Harry. -I accept. Thank you for standing by me Harry.- Sara raised her arm and Madame Pomphrey gasped as she saw a strange watch appear on Sara's arm.

-It's only temporary but you'll be able to use all my powers gained in the Digital World. You can use my Zanpakto's flame, the might of the Valkyrie, the senses of the Trekker, and the skills of the Changed.-

Sara turned to Madame Pomphrey. "Stay here and get my first and third teams ready. We're taking back Hogwarts. Fly, Garedig Galon!" With that, Sara ran out the door, typing a message to the rest of the Digidestined.

Windlust has attacked the Owlery. I need everyone I can to help keep him back.

Homer saw the message on his Digivice and turned to his boss, Arthur Weasley. "Sir. Hogwarts is under attack."

Madame Malkins took a piece of thread from Miki's hand. As she reached for the next piece, a beep came from Miki's belt. The woman put down the thread and read the message. "Madame Malkins, I need to take the day off. My friends are under attack."

Megumi and Commander Sampson were chatting as she served him coffee. A beep startled them and Sampson grabbed his Digivice. "It's time."

"You have to be careful because you could get in trou-" Markus froze and checked his Digivice. "Class dismissed." With that, Markus ran off.

"You'll be alright sir; the potion will take effect in a few minutes. Just sit back for now and-" Thomas looked at his Digivice. "Someone else will be here to help."

Yoshi leaned back from writing a report for her boss, Mafilda Hopkirk. Before she could get back to writing, her Digivice buzzed and she grabbed it. "Madame, I need the day off." She shouted, running off.

Spencer finished preparing the gym for a new group when a warning on his Digivice caused him to run out and lock the door. Hogwarts was under attack.

Willis, Cody, and Yolei gathered in a ring around the Owlery. Behind them; JP, Zoe, Koji, and Tommy stood. In the front, Matt had his Zanpakto raised and ready while Sora, Mimi, and TK were fingering their Digivices. Up in the wrecked tower, Kristy kept her eyes peeled for the enemy they knew they were about to face. At last, Windlust appeared. Sara held a hand up as he got closer and closer until… "NOW!"

"Gabumon."

"Biyomon."

"Palmon."

"Patamon."

"Lopmon."

"Terriermon."

"Armadillomon."

"Hawkmon."

Biyomon."

"REALIZE!"

"Digimon warp digivolve to."

"Metalgarurumon!"

"Phoenixmon."

"Rosemon."

"Seraphimon."

"Cherubimon."

"SaintGargomon."

"Phoenixmon."

"Digimon digivolve to."

"Ankylomon."

"Aquilamon."

"Execute, fusion evolution!"

"Rhinokabuterimon."

"Jetsilphymon."

"Daiphenmon."

"Beowolfmon."

"Hunt thine enemies, Getsuro!"

Matt growled and then spoke the words in his mind. "Track, Rōha!" His simple dagger changed into a thin tooth-like sword of a thickness slightly larger than a rapier's.

Sara raised her D-link and everyone gasped at what happened next. "Candlemon, realize."

"Candlemon warp digivolve to Flaremon!"

"Fly, Garedig Galon!"

Windlust chuckled. "This again? I warned you once that it won't work."

"It won't?" Sara questioned, fingering her goggles. "Rage o-"

Windlust chuckled. "Dymhorau kasai!"

"Noooooooo!" Windlust yelled as a vortex of wind and fire drove Windlust back. Before Windlust could attack, another burst of fire hit him. Sara spun to see the adult Digidestined poised to attack.

Sara's eyes fluttered upen and she stretched in her yellow bed. Luckily, it was a Saturday, meaning she could sleep in as late as she wanted. Grinning from the thought, Sara sat up and grabbed her robe, smoothing the Hufflepuff crest on it. She remembered the battle two months ago as she did so, wondering why Windlust hadn't appeared again. She quickly dressed and then grabbed her sword and goggles, strapping one to her hair and the other to her waist. Ready for the day, Sara turned to her nightstand and grabbed the letter she had finished two nights ago and gotten signed yesterday. It was a petition to free Harry and the other Digidestined from Azkaban Prison. Though Sara knew now that she could handle anything Windlust dished out, she felt that they still needed to be at full strength. With a sigh, she rolled up the petition and wandered to the Owlery. Although it was still wrecked, it had finally been declared safe to visit. Even so, Sara took the steps slowly, keeping an eye out for loose stone. Finally, she reached her destination, the nook where Harry's owl Hedwig rested. "Hey, can you do me a favor Hedwig? I need to get this to the Ministry of Magic so that Harry could get released." She whispered to the owl. Hedwig looked at her for a moment and then lifted a leg, allowing Sara to tie the note on. After Sara did so, the owl took off into the morning light.

With Hedwig gone, Sara walked back into the castle. Along the way, she ran into Hermione Granger. Over the months, their relationship had gotten worse and not better as Hermione was still convinced that Sara was hiding something. "Oh, morning Hermione."

"What are you doing here?"

"I sent a petition to release Harry and the others from prison."

Hermione's glare softened. "D-do you think it will work?"

"Of course it will." Hermione and Sara turned to see Harry standing nearby with the rest of the captured people standing there. The girls ran over and hugged those they knew but Harry shoved Hermione off of him. "I know how you've been treating Sara and I'm not very pleased with it."

"Oh, give her a break Harry." Sara said, tossing Harry's D-link over to him.

Harry caught the gadget and strapped it onto his wrist. "What do you mean, Sara?"

"Well she's been taking it out on me because you all haven't been around."

Sara felt a band of heat coming from her goggles and then heard Harry talking to her through them. -What are you up to? You hate her meddling.-

-Well of course I do but don't you think it's time?-

-Time? For what?-

Hermione looked at Sara and Harry, wondering what was going on. Her musings were cut off by Sara. "Don't give me that. I mean it's time to tell her. You think I'm going to watch you keep it from her? No friend would do that!"

Harry looked down at the floor and then look at the Digidestined. "Alright. I'll tell you. Truth is, I'm dead."

Hermione gaped at Harry in shock. "What?"

"Not only that but I'm the leader of a coalition of teams charged with saving the world from evil. Sara's my second in command."

Sara looked at Harry and then shrugged. "I suppose that'll work Harry but you'll have to tell her why you kept it from her for five years."

"Five years?" Hermione questioned.

"Not quite." Harry replied. "Almost five years though. I can't tell you everything because the last friend who found out decided to help and lost the most precious thing any person can have."

"What?"

Ron stepped forward and responded. "My humanity. I found out just like you are finding out. When I confronted him, Takuya pushed Harry into telling me. I decided I wanted in and I gave up my humanity to help him."

"What do you mean?"

Harry nodded and Takuya, Kari, Joe, and Draco stood next to Harry and Ron. Together, the six shouted out their battle cry, "Force through the ages! Valkyrie unite!"

"Hakuya!"

"Raven!"

"Raptor!"

"Hawk!"

"Eagle!"

"It was you!" Hermione shrieked. "You kept Ron from rescuing me!"

"No." Hakuya said in his merged voice. "It was them that kept Ron from causing you to kill your friends."

"What?"

The Valkyrie shifted to their human forms and Harry walked over to Hermione. When he got close, he whispered in her ear. "Didn't you ever wonder why that wound of yours never bled?"

Hermione's eyes opened up wide. "What?"

"It never bled because that sword was made of the substance that killed me, fire. And what happens when a hot fire is placed on a wound?"

"I-it."

"Closes up the wound, sealing it up and speeding the healing process. You were in no danger of injury and that blow dislodged the shadow that was using you."

"Wha?"

"Hermione, you are one of my last human friends. Why would I hurt you?" With that, Harry sped up and in that Hermione got a glance at Harry's life. It seemed like… like Harry had been broken and put together.

Hermione turned to Sara. "He's not the same person he used to be, is he?"

"None of us are. That's why he's protecting you."